20+ Years Experience
Specialist Certified Home Surveys
Having a home survey carried out for a property can be a daunting task, with many different types of house surveys available.
We’re here to take all of the stress away, handling the entire process from start to finish.
Our experienced team of home surveyors can provide all types of home surveys in April 2024, from all 3 levels of RICS home surveys to homebuyer reports, full structural surveys and more.
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, you can rest assured that our team of professionals will carry out thorough and detailed report for you and your home.
A house survey is an inspection of a property’s condition conducted by experts. The surveys will highlight any repairs or alterations that are needed, whether it’s addressing a damp patch or replacing a whole roof.
The report from the surveyor also provides state of the art commentary on the property, from the type of walls to the type of glazing.
It is usually the home buyer who usually organises a house survey after their offer has then been accepted, and then arranges and pays for the survey themselves.
We would argue that getting a Home Survey is one of the most valuable things you can do when buying a property. If you skip the survey you could be taking a huge risk with the home you’re buying.
Listed below are some of the reasons why we suggest always having a Home Survey:
It’s not just about the major problems that you may expect to find, a survey will also highlight those smaller issues that aren’t necessarily deal breakers, but will cause you to pause.
These are all elements that a survey can help to identify, and they will tell you how much they will cost to fix.
You may be a property investor and had your eye on a fixer-upper that looks like a little bit of a project. A survey will detect wen it’s not just superficial issues, but real structural problems.
It could also highlight if the property has several problems, that would make it really expensive or impossible to fix.
A Home Survey can identify whether the roof will need to be completely redone in the next two years, having this information as a buyer is massively beneficial.
If the roof may cost you around £5000 to repair, you can renegotiate the property price with the added information gathered from the survey.
With a commitment to accuracy and transparency, our range of home surveys ensures that you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions in the dynamic world of real estate.
Uncover the details that matter, whether you’re seeking a comprehensive overview of a property’s condition, insights into ongoing maintenance, or a closer examination of specific aspects
A Level 1 RICS Home Survey is the most basic type of survey. It is most suitable when you are buying a conventional property built from common building materials and in reasonable condition.
If you are looking for a free quote be sure to reach out to our expert team for any help.
A Level 1 RICS Home Survey is usually graded in a traffic light system for the various parts of the property.
It will also include a summary of the risks to the building, people and grounds. We must state the report doesn’t go into much detail and doesn’t advise a solution.
The Level 2 RICS Home Survey was commonly known as a Home Buyer Report or a Home Buyer Survey prior to the name change.
This survey is a popular choice for a lot of people buying conventional property in relatively good condition.
It covers everything you would expect to find in a ICS Home Survey Level 1, they also check roof spaces and cellars.
RICS Home Survey Level 2 are usually offered with or without a valuation.
If you choose to opt for a Home Survey Level 2 with validation, it will typically include a market value, an insurance reinstatement figure and a list of problems that the surveyor thinks will affect the price of the property.
The RICS Home Survey Level 3, which is commonly referred to as a full structural survey and previously known as a RICS Building Survey, is the most thorough inspection offered by RICS.
The Level 3 Survey includes everything you would expect to see in a RICS Home Survey Level 2, it will discuss in detail the risks and causes of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected.
You will also get recommendations in the priority and likely timescale for any important and necessary repairs.
A HomeBuyer Report is perfect for properties which are in reasonable condition.
A HomeBuyer Report can often include a property valuation, so it gives you the chance to revise your offer if the survey reveals a lower price than the original mortgage valuation.
The HomeBuyer Report doesn’t look beyond the floorboard or behind any of the walls.
If your HomeBuyer Report doesn’t include a valuation, you could use the report’s suggestion for the repairs to renegotiate the price.
A Structural Survey is the most in depth and comprehensive survey which is suitable for all residential properties.
We would always suggest a structural survey if you are moving into or buying an older home which may need repairs.
A Structural Survey are very extensive and in some instances worth the extra money you will pay, however we must tell you that hey don’t usually come with a valuation.
The Structural Survey will also give your information on potential repair options. You could try and save extra money by comparing the details of the repairs required against the lender’s valuation.
The average cost of a home survey is anywhere from £300-£1500.
The price of a House Survey can vary depending on the type of house survey, the size and type of the property being surveyed, the number of surveyors being hired, ease of access, and finally the location of your property.
Below are some of the costs of specific types of house surveys:
The typical cost of a RICS Home Survey Level 1 is anywhere between £300-£900.
The usual cost of a RICS Home Survey Level 2 is roughly between £400-£1000.
You can expect to pay anywhere between £630-£1500 for a RICS Home Survey Level 3.
When it comes to choosing between A HomeBuyer Report and a Building Survey we understand that it may be confusing for home buyers.
The biggest cause of confusion we have found is that the name of the surveys can confuse homebuyers. A Building Survey is called a Level 3 Building Survey but is also referred to as a full structural survey.
A HomeBuyer Report suits a wide range of conventionally built properties such as bungalows, flats or houses. The report can be purchased with or without a current market valuation and a reinstatement value.
The HomeBuyer Report won’t suit:
A Building Survey suits any residential property in any given condition. It doesn’t include a current market valuation and a reinstatement value, however communicate with the surveyor who may provide this for an additional fee.
The detailed report should be considered for:
We wouldn’t suggest a Building Survey for a standard house, flat or bungalow.
We enforce the highest standards in the residential property sector. The RICS Home survey standard will become the best practice benchmark. It brings together the views of RICS professionals, cross industry stakeholders and consumers.
In April 2019, RICS launched an industry and consumer consultation following an extensive review of existing guidance, which identified the need for a professional statement with a set of mandatory requirements for RICS members and regulated firms.
Here are several of frequently asked questions we receive regarding our services:
A home survey or home inspection is a procedure that is carried out by experts to test the property’s conditions. The experts will tell you if there are any issues with the condition of the property, this will range from minor to major problems.
The inspection will also highlight what repairs or alterations are needed, this can be anything from addressing a damp patch to replacing a whole roof.
The report will also provides expert commentary on the property, this includes everything from the type of walls to the type of glazing in the glazing.
You don’t need to get a house survey when you are buying a property, however we would always suggest getting one done.
This is to avoid any expensive and unwanted surprised, an example would be an unexpected rewiring job, as well as giving the home owner peace of mind.
After spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a property, we would argue that a few hundred pounds on a survey to have the reassurance of an independent, expert surveyor checking over your property it feels like a well worth investment.
The length of time a home survey takes will completely depend on the size of the property and the type of survey you choose.
An example would be:
A Surveyor will nearly always find problems and issues, especially when it comes to older homes.
The most common issues you’ll have to delve into after a survey include:
What to do next:
Our team stand as a cornerstone in the realm of property assessment, guided by the expertise of residential property surveyors associations.
Our chartered surveyors delve into the intricate world of homes, not only for prospective buyers but also for those who seek ongoing maintenance insights and professional advice.
Anchored by a diverse array of surveying services, including the in-depth RICS Building Survey and the comprehensive RPSA Home Condition Survey, these evaluations unravel the true essence of a property, accounting for both its internal structure and its relationship with the local environment.
From mid-level surveys to specialised snagging surveys, no aspect goes unnoticed.
A condition report serves as a valuable tool, offering insights that transcend what the typical estate agent might provide.
Be sure to reach out to us today for a free Nationwide quote!
Make sure you contact us today for a number of great home survey services.
"I recently had the pleasure of using Certified Home Surveys for a HomeBuyer Report, and I couldn't be happier with their services. From start to finish, the team displayed a remarkable level of professionalism and expertise. The HomeBuyer Report was incredibly detailed, providing me with valuable insights into the condition of the property I was considering purchasing."
Jack James"I had the privilege of working with this company for a Structural Survey on my new home, and I'm beyond impressed with the quality of their service. The surveyors exhibited a deep understanding of structural engineering and took the time to explain their findings in a way that I could easily comprehend."
Cameron RandolphFor more information on home survey services, fill in the contact form below to receive a free quote today.
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